“It was just all about me, me, me,” Daniel Ricciardo recalls his ‘selfish’ self from 2018 Red Bull days

When he was last at Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo, by his own admission was 'selfish'. A lot has changed since then - but now there's no 'hidden agenda'.

“It was just all about me, me, me,” Daniel Ricciardo recalls his ‘selfish’ self from 2018 Red Bull days

Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo is now back at Red Bull, having left the team after 2018. He went to Renault, and then at McLaren. Both times, it was a midfield package, and in a sense, he quit the team a few years before they became title contenders and now the dominant team. His stint at McLaren, in particular, was very disappointing, as he could not get to grips with the car. Partly because of that, he was comprehensively beaten by Lando Norris during their time as teammates.

And in 2022, as his disappointing performances continued, he was shown the exit door. Oscar Piastri was called in as his replacement, and for 2023, the ‘Honey Badger’ was left without a seat in F1. This is a break year for him, but his ‘third driver’ role at Red Bull allows him to stay connected with the sport. But there is likely little to no chance of a future seat with the team – he’ll have to find one elsewhere.

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A lot has changed since he was last at Red Bull. Back then, Ricciardo was considered one of the best drivers on the grid – that’s not the case now. But he has also experienced personal growth. Speaking to The Athletic, the Australian driver said: “I come at it from a different point of view now. Even looking back at 2018 … it was just all about me, me, me. In all these young drivers, I see it. That’s just how we are.”

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Now, he feels he is in a very selfless role with Red Bull: “At times, I reacted a little too selfishly to a bad weekend. Now, I’m back with the team, but I’d say it’s a very selfless role. I’ve got no hidden agenda.” This time, there’s really nothing to prove on track or win. It’s all about getting back into F1: “There’s no ego. I’m not too proud. I’m trying to build myself back up.”

Read More: “I got humbled,” Daniel Ricciardo sums up his disappointing McLaren stint

Daniel Ricciardo “not foaming at the mouth” to return to F1

Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo will not be attending all race weekends this year. So, in a way, his third driver role is not equivalent to that of a reserve driver. The first weekend that he attend this year came at his ‘home’ race, in Australia. Because he wanted to see how badly he wants to return to the sport, he tried to immerse himself in the whole weekend.

Speaking about his approach, the former McLaren driver said: “I’m trying to put myself in the mindset of, if I was competing, how would I feel? Where’s my energy at?” I want all those answers now so I can get into next year with a clear plan.” and continued: “I’m glad I’m not foaming at the mouth, because then I’d probably be questioning s—. ‘Should I have taken the year off?’ But it is brewing.”

It’ll be interesting to see whether Ricciardo can return to the grid or not. He will turn 34 this year, and all of the frontrunner teams (a prerequisite for him returning) have their lineups nailed down. While it’s not impossible that he gets back, it’s beginning to look a little hard. Perhaps his next chance will come with a new entrant. If not, fans will certainly miss him.

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